Enter the magical world of Rimsky-Korsakov opera with five celebrated recordings made by the Kirov Opera under Valery Gergiev: Kashchey the Immortal, Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh, The Maid of Pskov, Sadko, and The Tsar's Bride - a truly unique set.

"Valery Gergiev's ongoing Rimsky-Korsakov series is simply the most important thing happening in the world of opera today, promising revelations on a par with Philips' previous explorations of Haydn and early Verdi, or Decca's fabled Janácek cycle. He has assembled an outstanding cast, headed by Galina Gorchakova's sweet and sensible Fevroniya as well as Vladimir Galuzin's superbly tormented Grishka. Taken from live performances, but with minimal audience and stage noise, the performance starts well, but then really catches fire in the last two acts, which also contain the most luminous music. The recording has the feel of a major "event," which is exactly as it should be. We can only hope that Universal isn't in such poor shape that it can't continue with this tremendous series." -ClassicsToday (on Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh)

"Gergiev's splendid version is well worth hearing." -Gramophone (on Kashchey The Immortal)

"Gryaznoy, the opera's villainous protagonist, bears the brunt of the opera's narrative weight, and Dmitri Hvorostovsky's multi-dimensional portrayal abounds in sonorous felicities. Olga Borodina brings equal proportions of defiance and delicacy to the role of Lyubasha, Gryaznoy's lover. Her nemesis Marfa gets a rather unyielding, but intense performance from Marina Shaguch, and the suave Evgeny Akimov stands out as Marfa's paramour Lykov. Valery Gergiev has this score in his bones, and communicates its musical and dramatic potency to the hilt through the good graces of his responsive Kirov musicians. All told, this is one of the finest releases in Gergiev's important Russian opera survey. Full texts and translations are included." -ClassicsToday (On Tsar's Bride)